Chemotherapy is used to treat many different types of cancer. This includes treating cancer itself, preparing for other treatments (such radiation or surgical procedures), and relieving your symptoms. It can also reduce the size of tumors to allow for better treatment.
Cancer that has spread or is inoperable is treated with curative chemotherapy. It destroys cancer cells, so that they can't grow or spread further. It can also reduce cancer symptoms, like shortness of breathe.
Palliative chemotherapy can be used to treat cancers that have not spread. It is given to those patients who aren't responding well to chemotherapy. It is given along with curative chemo or during any stage of cancer treatment.
It can be a good way to increase survival rates, but is also dangerous and has potentially damaging side effects. Understanding the risks as well as the benefits of such a treatment is crucial to making the best possible decision.
How long will you be able to live after palliative treatment?
Your doctor may suggest stopping treatment if the cancer doesn't grow or if there are unacceptable side-effects. It's called "deescalating." The American Society of Clinical Oncology recently identified that end-of life chemotherapy was one of the five most important practices to stop in order to improve care for patients and reduce cost.
Your doctor can help you make an informed decision by explaining the possible risks and benefits for each of your treatment choices. The doctor will tell you if there are any indications that the treatment may improve your life.
Palliative chemotherapie uses several different types of drugs. These include cisplatin and vinorelbine. These drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition that causes numbness, difficulty walking, and cold feelings. This can be uncomfortable and may last a long time.
You should use this opportunity to address any concerns or queries you may have about your medical treatment. You can also ask your doctor if you want to take part in a clinical trial, which is a research study that tests new and improved ways of doing things.
What is the difference between curative and palliative chemotherapy?
Curative chemotherapy can be used to treat cancer, prepare you for other treatments (such as surgery or radiation) and remove any tumors which have spread into other parts of the body. It is also used for symptoms like pain and shortness.
You can also use it to reduce the size of or spread of tumors so that other treatments are more effective. It is often prescribed to patients who have not responded well to cure chemo. It can be given in conjunction with cure chemotherapy, or at any point during treatment.
FAQ
What should I know about vaccines?
Vaccines are very safe and effective ways to keep you healthy. Vaccines work by protecting you against certain diseases. Vaccinations should be administered at specific times, such as during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Your doctor can discuss the best time to get vaccinated.
What should I know regarding immunizations
Immunization is the process by which a vaccine stimulates an immune response. The body produces antibodies (immunoglobulins), to protect itself against infection after receiving the vaccine.
Who is responsible for public health?
All levels of government are responsible for public health. Local governments are responsible for roads, schools as well parks and recreation facilities. The laws and regulations governing food safety, workplace safety as well as consumer protection are enacted by both the national and state governments.
Statistics
- Healthcare Occupations PRINTER-FRIENDLY Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.6 million new jobs. (bls.gov)
- Foreign investment in hospitals—up to 70% ownership- has been encouraged as an incentive for privatization. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Over the first twenty-five years of this transformation, government contributions to healthcare expenditures have dropped from 36% to 15%, with the burden of managing this decrease falling largely on patients. (en.wikipedia.org)
- For instance, Chinese hospital charges tend toward 50% for drugs, another major percentage for equipment, and a small percentage for healthcare professional fees. (en.wikipedia.org)
- About 14 percent of Americans have chronic kidney disease. (rasmussen.edu)
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How To
What is the Healthcare Industry Value Chain?
The healthcare industry value chains include all the activities involved with providing healthcare services. This includes the business processes within hospitals and clinics and the supply chains that connect them to other providers such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, insurance companies, manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors. The result is a continuum which starts with diagnosis and ends in discharge.
The value chain is made up of four major components:
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Business Processes are the tasks carried out by employees throughout the entire health care delivery process. For example, a physician might perform an examination, prescribe medication, and then send a prescription to a pharmacy for dispensing. Each step must always be done quickly and accurately.
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Supply Chains - All the organizations involved in making sure that the right supplies reach the right people at the right time. A typical hospital has dozens of suppliers, including pharmacies, lab testing facilities, imaging centers, and even janitorial staff.
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Networked organizations - These entities must communicate with each other in order to coordinate. Most hospitals have multiple departments. Each department has its own office and phone number. Every department will have a central point where employees can go for updates to ensure everyone knows what's happening.
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Information Technology Systems (IT) - IT is essential in order for business processes to run smoothly. Without it things would quickly fall apart. IT provides an opportunity to integrate new technologies into the system. For example, doctors can use a secure network connection if they want to integrate electronic medical records into their workflow.